Electric fire-alarm signal-box



2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

(No Model.)

S. A. CHASE.

ELECTRIC FIRE ALARM SIGNAL Box.

Patented Aug. 28, 1888.

H H I WI l l l l l l l l lifiufi lll l IllI WITNESSES Eda/02, ZTZ ea/QZZAttorney,

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

S. A. CHASE.

ELECTRIC FIRE ALARM SIGNAL BOX.

Patented Aug. 28, 1888.

INVENTOR,

WITNESSES, Eda/1 72, Z: yeweZZ -/1 ttorney PATENT OFFICE.

SIDNEY A. CHASE, OF EVART, MICHIGAN.

ELECTRIC FIRE-ALARM SIGNAL-BOX.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 388,631, dated August28, 1888.

Application filctl March 3!, 1888,

.To aZZ whom, it may concern.-

Be it known that I, SIDNEY A. Cruse, a citizen of the United States,residing at Evart, county of Osceola, Michigan, have invented new anduseful Improvements in Electric Fire- Alarm Signal-Boxes, of which thefollowing is a specification.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements inelectric fire-alarm signal-boxes; and it consists,substantially,in suchfeatures ofarrangcment,constrnction,and combination of parts as willhereinafter be more particularly described or pointed out.

The object of my invention is to provide an electrical tire-alarmsignal-box of such construction that by the insertion of an instrumentor key specially designed for the purpose the electric circuitof thesystem will be closed or established and the alarm thereby sounded.

Further, my invention has for its object to provide the interior of thebox of a construction and arrangement by which the electric circuit ofthe system is maintained normally open and to prevent the sounding of analarm except by the use of a circuit-closing key of specialconstruction.

Further, my invention has for its object to provide a construction andarrangement of circuit-controlling devices for the boxes, by whieh,whenthe circuit-closing key is inserted for the purpose ofsounding an alarm,the said key will be caught or retained in such manner as to render itimpossible to be removed until the box itself is unlocked, thus enablingit to always be discovered as to whether the party sounding the alarm isin rightful possession of circuit-closing key, and serving frequently tothe detection of persons maliciously disposed.

Further, my invention has for its object to provide a lock for securelymaintaining the box in a closed condition, and also for preventingwithdrawal of the circuit-closing key until unlocked by a key of specialconstruction held by the inspector or other party of authority, the saidlock being much more secure and simple than many former inventions onthe subject.

Finally, my invention has such other objects in view as will more fullyhereinafter appear when taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, wherein- I Figure 1 represents a perspective view of anelectric fire-alarm signal-box of my invention as it appears when closedand inacondition for Serial No. 269.1536. (No model.)

use or operation. Fig. 2 isasimilar view ofboth the box and its cover orcasing, the latter being detached for the purpose of better illustratingthe arrangement of the parts of the former which itincloscs. Fig. 3 is aview in perspective of the specially-designed key for closing theelectric circuit to sound an alarm. Fig. 4 is a longitudinal sectionalview of the box, taken about centrally through the same, more clearlyindicating the interior construction and disposition of partscontributing to my invention. Fig. 5 is a top or plan view of the lockwith its casing attached; and Fig. (l is a view thereof with the casingremoved, so as to more clearly show the interior. Fig. 7 is a top viewof one of the interior blocks, the same indicating the manner ofattachment thereto ofoneofthecircuitcontrolling springs. Fig. 8represents a front view ofthe two interi( 1' blocks, showing the ends ofthe insulatorblocks and the shape of the opening into which thecircuit-closing key is inserted. Fig. 9 is a view representing the shapeof and attachment to the box of the key-hole guard. Fig. 10 representsin perspective a view of the specially-designed key for opening the lockon the under side of the box, and indicated at Figs. 5 and 6. Fig. 11represents in general the arrangement of a system of boxes of myinvention, the said view also indicating the use and arrangement of atest mechanism by which the condition ofthe controlling-circuit mayalways be learned, and also by which defects of such circuit may bereadily compensated for.

As will be understood before proceeding with a more full description, myinvention is particularly designed for use in connection with suchelectrical fire alarm and other signals as are employed in largemanufacturing establishments, depot-grounds, millyards, hotels, and thelike, as well also as municipal and like signal systems; and I desire tostate that an electric fire alarm signal box constructed in accordancewith my invention is not adapted particularly to any one system alone,but is equally applicable to any electricsignal system where a normalopen circuit is maintained.

In carrying my invention into effect I pro vide the back of the box withsuitable holes for the passage of screws for holding the box to the sideof a wall or other support, and east or formed therewith isa flange orprojco tion following the general shape or contour of serving to permitof a nmch more ready insersaid back. To the inner side of this back orwall-piece 1 secure two blocks of wood or equivalentnoncondnctingmateriahhcld apart by an intermediate smaller block,cach of said twoblocks being formed centrally with a slantlug or inclined channel orgroove, forming bei tween thetn an opening of sufticient capacity toadmit of the necessary movement or play of the eircuit'closin; springsand their attached insulator-blocks. The circnit'closing springs aresecured to the contiguous sides of the upper and lower blocks of wood,and secured to their outer or free ends in any snitable manner are bocks of gutta percha or other insulating material, each of whi h is;formed with a cavity or opening leading to l the springs, so that oninsertion of the speci l ally-designmi circuit-closing key of conductling material the circuit will be closed or cs tablishcd and the alarmthereby sounded. Each of theinsulatocblocks is also formed in its upperfront edge with a cavity or recess of such shape as that between the twoan open int, is formed for the ready admission and guidance of thecircuit closing key.

4 Normally the electric circuit is maintained in an open condition byvirtue of the inter mediate block keeping the springs from contact witheach other. To the inner ends of the springs, attachment is made of thetwo wires forming the elect riceircuit, which wires will be understoodas being also in proper liattery-conncction. lt isbythe actofinsertingthe circuit-key that the electric circuit is established, and it is dueto the particular form or shape of the insulator-blocks that such key isprevented from withdrawal until the box is unlocked or opened, and thislatter can only be accomplished vby aspecially-prepared key in the handsof the proper one in authority.

The case or cover of the box is provided in its front side with anopening coinciding with the cavities or depressions in the insulatedbloeks,and it is through this opening that the circuit-closing key isinserted. Surrounding said opening is a guard,preferably made sepal rateand attached by screws and having, formed thereon the number of the boxor alarm. This form is preferred for chcapncss in casting, thenumber,and since the two sides of the circuitclosing key are ilat Iprefer to form the two sides ofthc opening in the keyhole guard of l abeveled or slanting}, nature,such eonst ruct ion tion and guidance ofsaid key to its place.

To the under side of preferably the lower springholding block 1 locateor arrange the locking mechanism for maintaining the box closed orlockedagainst any attempt to tamper enable thesaid casing to be removed.

therewith, and this mechanism also securely prevents the withdrawalofthe circuit-closing key until unlocked. The said mechanism conl sistsof two pivoted hooks or catches held to l engagement with a stud on theinside of the cover or casing by means of suitable springs,

l i thereby securing said casing in place, and it i is by insertion of akey through an opening in the casing that said pivoted catches areforced apart against the action of their springs to ()u removal of thecasing the circuit-closing key can be easily withdrawn from between theinsulator-blocks by simply giving to the same a tpiartcr-turn to theright. or left. This lock ing device is contained within the box andcannot be tampered with by persons maliciously or otherwise disposed.

For the purpose of ascertaining at all times the conditions of the electric circuit of the sys tent, l resort t certain devices, which will bedescribed more particularly hereinafter.

'tet'erencc being had to the several parts by I the letters marked onthe accompanyingdrawings, A. represents the back of the box, the

; same bcin formed or provided with aproiee tion or tlange, u, andhaving suitable holes for the passage of screws 1 I. for securing theboxto a wall or other support.

3 represents the cover or casing of the box, which, as shown, is soconstructed as to be received by the projection or tlange on the back ofthe box.

Secured to the inner side of the back A are two blocks, 0 c, of wood orother equivalent noncondueting material, between which is arranged andsecured an intermediate block, (I, of similar material. The saidintermediate block is shorter than the others, and the latter are eachprovided with an inclined chanad or rccess,c, the two i Ollllittgbetween them a tlaring or bell-shaped opening, f,to admit of thenecessary movementor play of the circuitcontrolling springs and theirattached instr later-blocks.

(PIC/represent the ci rcuit-cont rolli ug springs, they being, attachedby screws, as shown, to the corresponding sides of the upper and lowerblocks, 0 e. 'lhcsespringshave titted to or secured upon their outer orfree ends, in any suitable manner, blocks l), of rubber or other properinsulating material, the said blocks being formed with an opening, 1reaching to the springs, and having also in their tops, at the forwardend, a beveled opening, ll, acting to receive and guide thecircuit-closing key when the same is inserted through the key-hole inthe front of the casing of the box. Before the ends of the blocks Iprefer to employ a guardplate, such as is rc 'n'csented at 2, Fig. 2;but this, however, is not essential.

The use of a speciallydesigned key is nee cssary in the practice of myinvention-such as is shown in Fig. 3- and when the same is insertedbetween the insulated blocks its conical or arrow-shaped end will be.caught be tween the two blocks and thereby held, while at the same timethe electric circuit is closed or established by reason of the edges ofthe key coming in electrical contact with the two springs G (i, suchcontact being permitted through the openings in the blocks, into whichthe end of the key slips.

The lock for the box consists of two hooks IIU or catches, m m, pivoted,as at n n, to the under side of, preferably, the lower block a, whichhooks engage with a stud, 0, secured to the inner side of the cover orcasing, and are maintained to such engagement by theaction of two bentsprings, pp, secured to the lock, as shown. Asmall stud, q, is providedon the back of the lock, and, being between or intermediate of thecatches, serves to prevent such catches from becoming overlapped attheir ends, which might occur in the event. of one spring being strongerthan the other, and this would interfere with a free and perfectoperation. The said stud q effectually prevents any such trouble.

The cover or casing E of the lock is formed or provided with a slot oropening, 8, to admit of the passage therethrough of the pin or projection 0 on the inner side ofthe casing of the box, and with which thetwo spring-actuated hooks or catches engage for maintaining the box in alocked condition. The said'cover or easing E of thelock is also formedor provided with an additional slot or opening, 14, of approximate Tshapeffor the entrance of the key for effecting the release of thespringcatches from their engagement with the stud o.

The key for the lock is of special construction, and is shown in Fig.10. The said key is formed with two projections, 4 4, and the manner ofreleasing the lock is by inserting this key through the opening it, thenturning the same, and sliding it along such openin whereupon theprojections et 4 will act to sepa rate the catches, and thus enable thecover or casing of the box to be removed.

The lock shown and described herein is such as is preferred by me in thepractice of my invention; but it will be understood that other lockscould be employed and still permit of the accomplishment of the sameresults from the other parts of the box. 2

From the foregoing description it-will be seen that when the cover orcasing of the box is slipped over the blocksrinto place'the said coveror casing will become locked automatic ally. It will further be seenthatwhen the circuit closing key is inserted between the in sulator blocksthe alarm will be at once sounded by virtue of the electric circuit thusestablished, and also that such key will be trapped and held againstremoval until the lock of the box has been opened.

In Fig. 11 'I have shown one general an rangement of systems with whichmy improved boxes are proposed to be used, and in connection with sucharrangement I have shown what I term a testing device for enabling it tobe ascertained at any time whether the conditions of the electriccircuit are good or correct. It frequently happens with these systemsthat from various causes the circuit gets out of order and no alarm issounded when wanted, thus causing delays and damage to both life andproperty:

My testing device consists of a wire, F, additional to those completingthe general circuit but in connection therewith electrically. Then Iemploy another wire or conductor, G, in electrical connection with abell, H, which in turn is in electrical communication with the batteryJ, the said conductor G having at its end a push-button, K. By thisarrangement it is simply necessary to ,l'orce the button K into contactwith wire F, and if the circuit is in proper order the bell II willsound'an alarm or signal the same, as it will do on the sounding of analarm from any one of the boxesof the system.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

1. In an electrical fire-alarm signal-box, the combination of twosprings forming a part of the electric circuit, blocks 0 c of insulatingmaterial for supporting said springs within the box, and an intermediatestationary or immovable block of insulating material for maintaining thesprings apart, substantially as described.

2. In an electrical tirealarm signalbox, the combination, with twosprings insulated from each other and forming a part of the electriccircuit, of insulators attached to the springs and having openingsreach'ing thereto, and a key for closing the circuit, substantially asand for the purpose described.

3. An electrical fire-alarm signal-box having arranged therein twosprings forming a part of the electric circuit, the said springs havingattached thereto blocks of insulating material, having openings thereinadapting them to receive and interlock with a key substantially asdescribed.

4. An electrical fire-alarm signal-box having arranged therein twosprings insulated from each other and forminga part of the electriccircuit, the said springs having attached thereto blocks of insulatingmaterial formed with openings reaching to the springs, and having bevelshaped recesses in their outer edges, so as to adapt them to receive andin terlock with a key, the end of which is conical or bevel shaped,substantiallyas described.

5. In an electrical firealarm signalbox, the combination, with the boxand a suitable lock therefor, of two springs forming a part of theelectric circuit, the insulators attached to the springs, and a keyhaving a conical or arrowshaped end for making electrical contactbetween the springs, substantially as described 6. In an electricfire-alarm signal-box, the combination,.with the box and a suitable locktherefor, of the blocks 0 c and d, the springs O C, the insulatorsattached to the springs having openings communicating therewith, and akey for closing the circuit, substantially asdescribed.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of twosubscribing witnesses. V

Witnesses: SIDNEY A. CHASE.

E. EVERETT ELLIs, CURTIS LAMMOND.

ICC

